Augusta Cecconi-Bates

Composer

Born in 1933 in Syracuse, New York, Augusta Cecconi-Bates comes from an opera-loving Italian home. She studied piano from age 6, (she was composing music even then) and earned a B.A. (1956) and M.A. in Humanities (1960) from Syracuse University. After winning a composition contest in 1976, Augusta went on to study at Cornell University with Robert Palmer and Karel Husa. In 1992 she was awarded an honorary doctorate from a conservatory in Italy. Her work has garnered praise from Lukas Foss, who in 1988 wrote, “she is a composer who knows what she is doing and does it well.” She has composed some 200 works, in genres ranging from vocal to orchestra and band.

PLAYED in this episode

1. Spring Peepers (4th Movement of the Tug Hill Suite)- begins to play at 2:58. Performed by members of the Utica Symphony with Charles Schneider as music director. Full track below.

2. Gaggle of Geese (1st mvt. of the Tug Hill Suite)- begins playing at 4:10. Performed by members of the Utica Symphony with Charles Schneider as music director. Full track below.

3. Settlers and Loggers (2nd mvt. of Essences of the North Country) - begins playing at 7:52. Performed by members of the Utica Symphony with Charles Schneider as music director. Full track below.

4.Aurora Borealis (3rd mvt. of Essences of the North Country) begins playing at 9:12. Performed by members of the Utica Symphony with Charles Schneider as music director. Full track below.

5. Music of the Plateau (4th mvt. of Essences of the North Country) begins playing at 11:42. Performed by members of the Utica Symphony with Charles Schneider as music director. Full track below.

6. Simonetta's Song (part of the series Nei Giardini Medici) begins playing at 13:35. Text by Angelo Poliziano. Performed by soprano Cynthia Aaronson and pianist Augusta Cecconi-Bates. Full track below.

7. Departure (part of the series Nel Giardini Medici) begins playing at 19:48. Text by Angelo Poliziano. Performed by tenor James Shults and soprano Cynthia Aaronson with pianist Augusta Cecconi-Bates. Full track below.

8. Finale (mvt. 3 of Cello Sonatina) begins playing at 25:45. Performed by cellist Carol Redfield and pianist Augusta Cecconi-Bates. Recorded in 1981 at Weill Hall. Full track below.